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Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Pan Pastels questions answered

Good morning Peeps, although looking out the window is not so good out there, it's been throwing it down all night and the winds been "blowing like a good un" as we say here in the Fens.

Welcome to my new followers and thank you to everybody for your comments and don't forget everyone who leaves a comment this week (or comments - each one will go in the draw) will all be going into the pot for my draw at the end of the week for the four sets of beaded pins here.

I had a very indulgent crafty weekend and thought I would share a couple of the finished projects. With the exception of the Lavinia bulrushes and Art Impressions geese, everything else is Stampscapes and all colouring has been done with Pan Pastels.

On the subject of Pan Pastels, I've had an awful lot of questions about using them and whilst I don't confess to be an expert by any means, I thought it might help if I try to cover a few which seem to come up frequently, based on my own experiences of using them.

(Note added, you will also find my Pan Pastel Q&A on the company's web site and Facebook page).

Q) Do you need to seal/set them ?

A) As far as I'm concerned the answer is no and I know that's also the view of Kay from Indigo Blue which is good enough for me. I've been using them in both demos and for personal use for several months now and not one of my samples has shown any sign of the Pans shifting and they have been well handled in that time. In fact when I finish a piece I always rub over it with gentle pressure using a piece of kitchen roll and that seems to help fix them in place.

Q) What cardstock is it best to use ?

A) Although they will work to some degree on most surfaces, those with a little texture are preferable in my experience. To give an idea the top card was done on to the reverse side of Centura Pearl which has enough texture to grab the Pans nicely and the bottom card is Lavinia mat card stock and because it has a much smoother surface you get a softer feel from the Pans. Watercolour card also works very nicely and I think the only card stock I found which doesn't is very smooth stock such as Clarity card because there is no surface to hold them.

Q) Do they work for resist techniques ?

A) Absolutely beautifully and this is where smooth card stock is the exception to the rule above as the ink provides a surface to grab the Pans. When I do resist technique I still give the finished piece a wipe over with a piece of kitchen towel.

Q) Aren't they just like chalks ?

A) This is probably the most common question I been asked and the answer is most certainly not, although I'll admit before I tried them I was guilty of thinking the same. They are highly pigmented, very hard and extremely smooth and that is why they blend so seamlessly.

Q) If I add to much and the colour is too dark have I ruined my piece of artwork ?

A) Absolutely not and this is again where they differ from any other medium because you can just rub it out with a regular rubber and start again and there are no tell-tale marks left from the error.

Q) Can they be applied with make up sponges ?

A) I thought so initially, but have since invested in the proper Sofft sponges and although they are not cheap allow you to achieve the seamless blending effortlessly.

Q) How long will they last ?

A) An awfully long while, I have used mine repeatedly over several months now and there is not even a visible dent in the surface. An inkpad given that volume of use would be fading by now.

Q) What process do you follow to create your cards ?

A) I stamp the main elements of my card or scene with archival ink, much the same as when brayering and then add the pans.

Q) Is it an easier technique than brayering ?

A) In my view most definitely as there is less chance of error and as explained above they can be erased. I still follow the same technique creating hills, clouds and shading using the torn paper technique but you have far more control adding Pans than with a brayer.

I'm sure I haven't covered everything by any means, I have just tried to think of the questions I get asked most often so if there is anything specific you want to know please just drop me a mail and I'll be happy to try and help.

52 comments:

Hi Brenda...I love looking at your scenery cards. Great PP tips too, I always thought that you had to use the pastels first and then stamp, so it is handy to know that you can do it the other way around...opens up what colours to add and where.Dot x

Loving these cards, as you know I don't make cards much these days but I really like the effect of the pans and your explanations. Will chew over weather I want them or not, but thanks for the info very helpful. Dxx

Your questions & answers are terrifically thorough - I managed to do an introductory workshop with the PanPastels at a craft show. The scenes & your handling of these is a real example of what can be done & learnt by working with them & - as you rightly point out - the correct tools for the job.Paula (PEP)

Brenda these cards are just so stunningly beautiful - you are truly soooo talented!. Thanks also for the very interesting Q&A.Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.Hugs Desíre {Doing Life – my personal blog}

Your cards are just stunning and I am so glad I got to read all that info. Something I have always thought about. But I have to admit I thought the pan pastels were creamy for some reason. Might have to invest in some as I love the effect on the sky. Do you recommend any colours to start with or do they come in ready made sets? Hehe, just when you thought you'd covered everything!!

Hi Brenda, your cards are beautiful, awesome coloring with the PP. Thanks for the Q&A on the Pans, I love them but haven't spent enough time with them yet... it will come :) Hope you are doing well, Shirleyx

They are both gorgeous cards Brenda. Thanks for all the Pan Pastels info...I had thought they were just chalks..that was so helpful. It's been blowing a gale here today and SO dark and wet...horrid! Keep dry and carry on crafting,Jane x

Sounds like a fun crafty weekend, and your cards are some real pieces of art. Love the use of scenery stamps, and the way you colored the scenes!Have a great rest of the week, hope the wind calms down a little bit!

I never cease to be amazed at the amazing effects you get with the pan pastels. Thanks for a very informative Q&A, very helpful. I'm resisting cos with my track record I'd buy loads of them and not use them much.

Beautiful cards again Brenda & a lovely Q&A set on Pan Pastels - would love to try them but I'm not sure the investment would pay off in my case. You have mastered the art for sure & I think my efforts would look more like a primary sch project! Jx

Hi Brenda, many thanks for that informative q & a. I must confess that I haven't tried these at all. I love my distress inks and had also thought pan pastels would be like chalks. I have a problem with the feel of chalk, I really hate ur, so have been scared to try these, but perhaps you have encouraged me to give them a try! Your stamped and coloured scenes are absolutely wonderful, you really are a very talented lady. Maddy x

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Jan 2015-March 2018

It makes me happy if my work provides inspiration, but please do not directly copy for submission to challenges or magazines. I am always happy to answer questions about products and techniques I use, please mailmeto ask.